The role of mitochondrial DNA in ancestry tracing is crucial because it is inherited maternally and can provide insights into direct lineage over generations. Mitochondrial DNA contains a relatively stable sequence of genes that can reveal evolutionary relationships among individuals and populations. Studies of mitochondrial DNA help track migration patterns and ancestral connections, especially for species where nuclear DNA is more challenging to analyze. This genetic marker is particularly useful in anthropology, evolutionary biology, and conservation genetics for understanding population dynamics and historical biogeography.